Hutchence, Cornell & Cobain: Meet The Man Behind Some Of The Most Iconic Photoshoots

Even if you don't know Chris Cuffaro by name, chances are you are more than familiar with the photos he's taken throughout his career.

The US photographer is bringing his Greatest Hits: Grunge series to Sydney's Blender Gallery next month, which will feature his work with artists including Soundgarden and Chris Cornell, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder, 7 Year Bitch, Alice In Chains, Mudhoney and more.

In this exclusive retrospect for The Music, Cuffaro looks back at his extensive career and shares his favourite and most iconic photos from the Greatest Hits collection.  

Ben Harper
05.07.96 • Los Angeles, CA
Shot for Guitar World
Camera: Polaroid

A fun shoot for Guitar World Magazine. I shot this at his apartment blocks from where I live. Basically just hung out for the afternoon and took photos. Nothing too serious.

Chris Cornell (desert)
08.09.92 • Indio, CA
Shot for A&M Records
Camera: Pentax

Shot during the Jesus Christ Pose music video shoot. The song is written about my photo of Perry Farrell in bed. For me this is the biggest honor to have someone write a song about my photo.

Eddie Vedder (home)
18.01.92 • Seattle, WA
Shot for Entertainment Weekly
Camera: Pentax

Shot at his home in Seattle in 1992 while hanging out and having fun. Nothing to serious at this time. It was always about keeping it simple and not making a big deal about what I was doing.

Fiona Apple
17.06.96 • Santa Monica, CA
Shot for CMJ Magazine
Camera: Mamiya

Her second photo shoot for the label. She was so shy and easy. I was a huge fan and excited to meet and shoot here. All I can say is Fiona can do no wrong by me.

George Harrison
1986 • Burbank, CA
Shot for Musician Magazine
Camera: Hasselblad

Shot for the cover at Warner Brothers Records. At the time this was the biggest shoot of my life. Meeting and shooting my hero George was AWESOME!!! We talked about Hard Days Night!!!!

George Michael (Faith)
1988 • Los Angeles, CA
Shot for CBS Records
Camera: Hasselblad

My first day and shoot with George. At the time it was a simple video shoot. Did not know it would be iconic in every way and open a lot of doors for me. George was the best of the best.

George Michael (window)
1988 • Los Angeles, CA
Shot for CBS Records
Camera: Hasselblad

A publicity shoot for the label. We spent the time shooting all over downtown LA and had fun doing it. We got a lot of iconic photos shot that day. They were used for everything during the Faith Tour.

Gwen Stefani
10.07.99 • Santa Monica, CA
Shot for Interscope Records
Camera: Polaroid

Love this portrait of Gwen! This was during a publicity shoot for the label. Shot at Smash Box Studios in Santa Monica. Gwen is one of my favourite people to shoot ever!

Ice-T
08.11.96 • Hollywood, CA • Virgin Records
Camera: Polaroid

This is my favourite photo of Ice-T ever! This is about as OG as you can get! Loved working with Ice-T and he was always so cool with me and everyone. A true professional.

Iggy Pop (face)
04.05.93 • New York City, NYC
Shot for Virgin Records
Camera: Mamiya

What can I say about Iggy! It’s fucking Iggy Pop! My favourite ever to shoot 'cause he is an icon and everything I shot of him is iconic. He always made me look good.

Michael Hutchence (standing)
01.10.93 • Los Angeles, CA
Shot for Detour Magazine
Camera: Mamiya

This session is one of my favourite ever. Caught Michael at the right time in the right mood. He was the best of the best. SO nice to me always. I love this session and ALL the photos.

Morrissey
10.01.94 • Culver City, CA
Shot for RayGun Magazine
Camera: Mamiya

Was not a big fan of Morrissey or The Smiths at the time, but after this shoot I became a big fan of his. He was so nice and super easy to shoot. Another subject that does not take a bad photo.

Nick Cave (profile)
08.12.91 • Los Angeles, CA
Shot for Elektra Records
Camera: Mamiya

Nick is one of a kind. This shoot was with the Bad Seeds for the label. Super fun and easy. Like really easy. Nick was grumpy, but fun.

Nirvana (alley)
22.07.91 • Los Angeles, CA
Shot for Creem Magazine
Camera: Hasselblad

Shot in Los Angeles behind my apartment. This was my second shoot with the band. As always, super easy and fun. The photos of them in the shower were shot the same day!

Pearl Jam
29.08.91 • Seattle, WA
Shot for Epic Records
Camera: Hasselblad

My second official shoot for Epic Records with the band in Seattle. Shot at Discovery Park. The same place they show in the Hunger Strike video for Temple Of The Dog. So many great shots from this shoot!

Perry Farrell (bed)
1990 • Los Angeles, CA
Shot for Exposure Magazine
Camera: Hasselblad

One of my favourite photos ever. A special moment caught in one single shot. Perry being Perry. It has become the Jesus Christ Pose thanks to Chris Cornell and Soundgarden.

Scott Weiland
29.04.94 • Culver City, CA
Shot for Atlantic Records
Camera: Mamiya

This was a publicity shoot for the label with Stone Temple Pilots. I did solo portraits of each band member. I love this shot 'cause it’s Scott being Scott. I got so many great shots from Scott and the band.

Willie Nelson
03.03.98 • Oxnard, CA
Shot for Island Records
Camera: Polaroid

What the fuck can I say except… it’s Willie Nelson!! Spent a couple days in the studio with him while he recorded his album Teatro. Two of the best days ever! Not only did I get great shots, but I got to watch them make music!!!

Greatest Hits: Grunge will take place at Blender Gallery in Paddington from 2 May to 1 June. For more info, head to the Blender Gallery website.